Grey catbird • Dumetella carolinensis

The grey catbird is not commonly seen on the Central Coast, however this bird was spotted on Calvert Island one June. See Eric Demers' blog post discussing this appearance. Photos by Eric Demers with the VIU Bird Banding Project (left) and Brian Starzomski.

Habitat & RangeThe grey catbird is usually found in fairly open areas with trees and shrubs nearby in which to perch; it is a common species but tends to stay hidden amongst shrubs and small trees. Habitats include thickets, brush, open fields, and forest edges. It may also be seen in and around residential areas, including backyards. It is not commonly seen along the Central Coast: it is found in BC in the summer, and usually only in the south of the province east of the Coast-Cascade Mountains. Click here for a BC distribution map. The grey catbird's summer range is mostly restricted to the eastern and central United States, and extends a bit into parts of southern Canada. Its winter range extends along the eastern coast into Mexico and Central America. See range map here.

Find more information at the British Columbia Breeding Bird Atlas here.